Totally Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Simplified Technique

Innovations (Phila). 2017 Nov/Dec;12(6):493-495. doi: 10.1097/IMI.0000000000000428.

Abstract

Since the introduction of thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), the field of minimally invasive AF treatment has evolved toward an established treatment option for AF, with an overall 2-year antiarrhythmic drug free success rate of 77%. Complications are usually minor, and the incidence of bleeding needing conversion to sternotomy or (mini-)thoracotomy varies between 0% and 1.6%. Bleeding is often related to encircling the pulmonary veins, which is a blind maneuver that has to be done without direct camera vision. We propose here a modified surgical technique to simplify the procedure, shorten the operating time, and lower the risk of complications.

Publication types

  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Conversion to Open Surgery
  • Humans
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Operative Time
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Veins / surgery*
  • Thoracoscopy / methods*